A plea from Fr. Jeffrey Steel from De Cura AnimarumPlease Support the Saint Barnabas Society I would like to let readers know of a very important charity set up for convert clergy who find their way home to the Catholic Church. There have been a number of men with families who have recently converted or are about to be received into the Catholic church who may undoubtedly benefit from the charitable organisation. With the prospects of many Anglican clergy faced with the important decision about their futures and concerns for family members if they are to make such a move, the society is there to help families settle into their new way of life by gracious grants. These are the gifts of visionaries who have seen the great benefit of helping those who, in faith, make the journey home. As we know, there are numerous former Anglican clergy who are now Catholic priests who faithfully serve the Church in offering Mass and the other sacraments to the faithful. Pope Benedict XVI has recently ac…

Amazing. What music can do is utterly amazing. Hundreds of kids in Venezuela are involved in music. It's keeping them "clean" and giving them positive senses of accomplishment. It started with a vision of Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu Anselmi. He saw the cultural lure of modernization on Venezuelan children. Alarmed, he applied and received a grant to establish a youth orchestra which would morph into "el sistema or la orquestra." The State Foundatiion for the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras (FESNOJIV)operates training and music centers throughout Venezuela -- and the idea is spreading throughout Latin America. The purpose is to involve kids into something they can be proud of. Just think of what music teaches: reading, discipline, work, hard work, teamwork, cooperation, etc. It's a "win-win." h/t http://rbbadger.wordpress.com/2010/09/25/el-sistema/ And to think that my own town cut its music program. Music can make the world …

I was posting about how the media will slant the news you hear and see. In particular, I was using the Pro-Life movement as an example. From what I see happening right now, I'm worried.

I'm worried because I see division in the Pro-Life ranks. It is true that Republicans are fighting the Democrats for seats in the up-coming elections. But the Pro-Life movement shouldn't be Republican or Democrat. There are Pro-Life Democrats.

I've actually seen bumper stickers that read "You can't be Pro-Life and Democrat." What do you call the Pro-Life Democrats? The Democrats for Life in America? Reasonable Pro-Lifers will work together to change attitudes toward abortion, regardless of which party holds a majority.

Dividing the Pro-Life movement into political parties may make the news, but I fear it will hold long-term consequences fo…

There are some people, I would guess, who have left the church and would like to come back. They’re thinking about it, but don’t know how to go about it. This book, Why God Matters, by Karina Lumbert Fabian and Deacon Steven Lumbert is the “home free” ticket. I’m recommending this book to the RCIA leaders in my parish. It’s perfect for Catholic “newbies.” One of the appeals is the format. Readers are not bogged down in doctrinal “vaticanese.” Each chapter begins with a Life Lesson, which offers some thoughts and/or sometimes suggestions that prepare you for the story. After the Life Lesson is a Scripture reference. Then a quote from the Catechism. Lastly, is the story by either Karina Lumbert Fabian, or her Dad, Deacon Lumbert. That’s it—5 pages. The stories themselves reveal a journey of faith that everyone will find something to identify with. They seem to cover everything. One of my favorites was Chapter Six, “Does God Send Flowers?”. Karina tells the story …

Does celibacy mean that you can't marry, that you can't have sex, that you can't fantasize, that you can't masturbate, that you can't participate in social occasions, that you can't talk about sex, etc..

The New York Times is conducting a poll. What they'll do with it is anybody's guess. (See yesterday's post on Media Manipulation). Click on the above link and vote.

Back in the day, somewhere, sometime, I remember learning "Believe half of what you see; and none of what you hear." I always believed that meant to half believe what I read, and don't believe any hearsay.

Recently, I've come to realize that when it comes to TV news, which is seeing and hearing, you shouldn't believe any thing. The manipulation sometimes is so obvious. In order to get a balanced view you need to watch at least a couple of news channels, or read different newspapers. You can't just read the ones you agree with, or you'll soon notice your friends and relatives avoiding you. You'll become narrow minded. I've been to the same Town Council meetings that a newspaper reported has been and when I read what they wrote, you'd never know we were at the same meeting. And it's not just different perspective, it's deliberately slanting what transpired to attract an audience. That's manipulation. For some reason, goodness is…

The best people to help prisoners are prisoners themselves. Groups like the ones mentioned in this article will work if given the chance. Prisoner advocating groups from the inside can better prepare inmates than the placement situations awaiting them when they're paroled. Often times there is nothing--you're on your own. Other times, over staffed, under paid, or volunteers try to find employment and housing for the prisoners. The job's almost impossible without the cooperation of some sort of structure inside the prison. Just about everyone would agree that the aim of incarceration is the protection of society and the rehabilitation of the prisoner. That's the goal, not hide the prisoner and forget about him. Suicide is a cry for help.

A group of friars was mountain climbing. It didn't take long, before they were utterly lost. One of them took out the map and studied it. He turned it upside down, sideways and every-which-way. He spread it out on the ground, and sighted landmarks. He consulted a compass and figured in the path of the sun.
Finally he announced, "Look, see that big mountain over there?"
"Yes," they said in unison.
"Well, we're standing on top of it."

The guy wearing this shirt is a dope. Can't he be clever at least, like the cute man wearing the "Drop the Filoque" sign on the Fox news web-site.

Greg Burke writes about the sign held by Toby Guise. (Sorry I can't post it. The pic is sideways and I don't know how to turn it counter-clockwise.) Anyway, the history behind the "Filoque" is an old argument between the Orthodox and the Roman Churches. The Romans argue that the Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son. The Orthodox say it is from the Father, only.

The red shoes, again. (See September 16th posting.) There definitely isn't a cross on them. I would suggest to his clothes designer to add a cross and a heel. He is short, so he needs the height. I'm not talking spike heels like women's shoes. And make the shoes more boot like. No, not cowboy boots. B16 ain't no cowboy.

I was very happy to see that the Mass celebrant this morning, at the Abbey, was Fr. Ted Kofitse. He use to be assigned to my parish. I miss him. Boy, do I miss him! A lot! It's been a few years, so I didn't know if he remembered me. So after Terce, I went over to him to see if he remembered me, he said, "Of course I remember you. I'll never forget you." er........ "Oh no, what gaffe did I do, now?" Father Ted remember me because I went up to him once and told him that I was sick of singing "Faith of Our Fathers." You see, there's no music at the 7:00 AM Mass. It didn't matter. Father Ted made us sing, anyway. He has a good voice, but "fer cryin out loud" it was 7:00 AM. And since more than a few times during the week, it's some saints feast or memorial, we sang "Faith of Our Fathers," and it didn't matter whether the saint was female or not; we sang "Faith of Our Fathers." So I objected. N…

Dead Man Walking's author, Sister Helen Prejean gave a lecture tonight at Boston College. Not only can she write, but she's an impressive speaker. She told the story of how she got started in prison ministry. God tricked her into it. She just started by writing a letter to a prisoner on death row, Patrick Sonnier. Then she thought she should minister to Sonnier's victims' families. Then she got involved in the controversy about the death penalty.

It was a spiritual journey. She was brought closer to God through the experience. The convicted Patrick Sonnier was brought to God. The victims' families struggled and we pray were brought closer to God. And finally, we the audience were brought closer to God.

Notice B16's red shoes. Reading in Wikipedia, it's a tradition. Even John Paul the Great was buried in red shoes, even thought he didn't usually wear them. I don't see a cross on these, although from what I've read, it's customary.

This pic is from fellow blogger, Rocco Palmo's blog, Whispers in the Loggia. I'm reading his and Father Tim Finigan's blog to see what's happening during the Papal visit to England.

So far, so good.

P.S. Do you think if the Pope clicked his heels three times, he'll be transported to Kansas?

Work is offering a Stress Reduction Program. It's just what I need but I don't have the time to fit it in my schedule.

I know; that's a sign that I need it. I already have a stress related disease, so I do need stress relief. But I have my own coping mechanism. It's called prayer.

Faith's Stress Relief Method:

RosaryLectio DivinaCentering PrayerEucharistic AdorationOur Lady of Hope Prayer GroupTonight I went to OLHPG to relieve some stress. We prayed a Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Afterwards, in circle, we shared Mary stories, since today is the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Ester told the story of her grandmother's devotion to Mary. Marie told the story of leaving a rose at the foot of a statue of the BVM and the priest finding it and thinking it was a miracle--because on that date (Marian Feast) a rose appears every year. And I told the story that Father John Randall tells. Father Randall was a passenger in a car full of priests. They w…

Social Support Key For Religious Conversions In Prison This article is about prisoners who have found religion in prisons. It tells that if the inmate has the support of a religious community, religious members of his family, the chaplain, avoiding the negative, and prison volunteers, then his religious conversion is a life altering experience for the better. But then the article goes on to speculate that many be education, life skill workshops, behavior groups, etc., may have the same affect.

Well, duh.......... Combine the two. I would think that the religious inmate would be very open to any form education, to change his life. One of the biggest factors to me seems to be "avoiding the negative." If you are walking the straight and narrow, then you have to avoid the gamblers, druggies, pornography, and sex clubs, and, as one of my "cloistered brothers" says, self manipulation. It takes divine grace to stay on the right road in a dark place. Pray for those in pr…

I'm thinking of writing a letter to the Pope. I didn't know how to begin. What do you call him? What is the appropriate salutation: "Dear Pope," "Dear Holy Father," "Dear Holiness...."? It's a good thing I looked it up because you don't use "Dear anything." BTW, when looking things up, use http://prolifeinternet.com/ all proceeds from using this search engine go to pro-life causes--and it's googled powered.

The Holy Father is "so high" he is never introduced to anyone: individuals are presented to The Holy Father. He requires no introduction: anyone about to meet the Pope already knows who he is.Rather he is announced .... as he enters a room an aide says so all can hear "His Holiness" ... and that's it.
As to whether his name is ever used: Neither you, I, nor anyone else calls him Benedict ... he is addressed in conver…

John and I were talking before Mass about someone who has had a few abortions. John was telling me that he thinks the girl is just young and clueless. She's not thinking the process through. She's, well just YOUNG. John then said that he has often thought that more mature women (ahem!), like myself, should be the ones getting pregnant. After wiping my face, since my drink coughed out of my nose! I gasped, "Wha..?" John explained that now that I'm older and wiser, calmer, etc., I'd be a wonderful mother. This line of thinking brought to mind, something I've always thought. And that's that we should be sending men 50+ to war, and not the young men, for the same reasons: wiser, more mature, more patient, etc.. Yeah, I know the arguments about the young soldiers are at their physical peak in the twenties, but this is the 21st century. I don't think being at one's physical peak is all that it's cracked up to be. Do you think we have i…

Pondville had a Hoot tonight, and I participated. This was a REC program--Residents Encounter Christ is an interdenominational Christian ministry to prisoners. It's a Cursillo program. The Hoot part of it was where we volunteers, who had been making Palanca, and praying for these guys, came to surprise them.

We all gathered together in a room and hid there, until it was time. Then we all marched in singing "This is the day," and clapping our hands to the beat. The men were bowled over. It was a nice surprise. That's a Hoot!

We stayed for awhile and listened to their witness talks. As usual, it can be heart wrenching. But its wonderful to see the Holy Spirit move in people. Amazing, simply amazing.

A medical doctor by (secular) profession, the 56 year-old friar succeeds the Argentinian Carlos Azpiroz Costa, who maintained the order's longstanding tradition of handing over the reins after one nine-year term.

This year marks the 500th anniversaryof the Dominican presence in the Americas… and this Master will officiate over the 800th birthday of the Order, in 1216.

It's been about three decades since a Master of the Order hailed from France.

Sister Ruth had a cook out to say good-bye to Sister Pia Elizabeth Father Wayne Sister Sara

The friendship, the food, the Mass, and the fun abounded. I shall never forget this day. People brought their entire families. There were even three dogs in attendance.

We started the festivities with Mass. Father Wayne Cavalier, O.P. presided. Fr. Wayne went around the room and had everyone introduce themselves and their connection to Bethany. Many, many were "graduates" of Norfolk. Not surprisingly, many said their lives were turned around by Sisters Ruth and Kathleen. Some of their families were there. Volunteers also attended.

Everyone brought food, so there was plenty. After everyone ate, we sat around and had fellowship. This is how we spent the afternoon. Old acquaintances were renewed and new acquaintances were made. We passed a few hours this way. Gradually, people began to leave, at their leisure. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Father W…

"Be praised my Lord that you have given here a renewed, rejuvenated form of your eternal mercy, that you have given to the world a new proof of the all powerfulness of your grace and infinite love." fr. M. Jean-Joseph Lataste, O.P.

My Brothers, what do you seek?

Moved by God's mercy, we have come here to experience your way of life, following the example of St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena, Fr. Jean Joseph Lataste, and others who have gone before you, and who have illuminated the life of the Order and of the Church, first so that we may give witness to our faith, and effectively hear the needs of people of our time, and so that we may early serve the truth. Therefore, carefully considering the particular goals of the apostolate of the Church today, we seek to be aided, moved and in a special way, to show forth true compassion toward all anxieties, to strive vigorously for freedom, and to promote justice and peace.

For a better description of what transpired, yesterday. Please read the Dominican Sisters of Bethany's blog. Everything it says, is so true. Veritas! I was there. I was graced to be there. Blessings abound. Deo Gratias.

We witnessed two cloistered brothers renewing their temporary promises for a fourth year. Also, two cloistered brothers advanced into the novitiate. Tomorrow, we celebrate the final promises. Again, Deo Gratias.

It is wondrous. The conversion stories were inspiring. "I have seen miracles--many miracles." These are the words of Father M. Jean-Joseph Lataste, O.P. when he visited a women's prison in Cadillac, France, in 1864. And these were our words today, at a Day of Recollection, in MCI Norfolk, MA.

I'll start with one miracle that you can relate to. Sister Ruth had asked the prison administration for permission to bring in flowers for the altar, for Mass on the Day of Recollection, and Promise day. She was refused. Permission was denied--no flowers could be brought in. So be it. We had Mass at the end of the Day of Recollection. While the altar was being prepared, in walked some "cloistered brothers" with six vases of cut flowers. They were beautiful. They were quite a surprise. Who was responsible for providing them, we don't know. And how whoever it was, knew we wanted flowers for the altar is a mystery, too. Another miracle: A pagan high priest wa…

My side-kick, Omega, arrived last night. Today I took her shopping. While shopping at the Hope Chest, Nghia, who works at the store, happened to announce, "We're closing an hour early, today."

"Why?" was my curious response.

"We're having Mass with Fr. Wayne. Aren't you coming?" Nghia told us.

I told Nghia that I didn't even know about it, but asked if we could go, too.

He said, "Sure."

It turned out that Mass was at Sister Ruth's. Just as we pulled into the driveway, so did Fr. Wayne. Inside, we met Sarah Bohmer and Sister Pia Elizabeth. Both are Dominican Sisters of Bethany. Sister Sarah is from the Netherlands; Sister Pia Elizabeth is from France. Sister Sarah is an apostolic religious; Sister Pia Elizabeth is a contemplative. Sister Sarah speaks English, Dutch, and German; Sister Pia Elizabeth speaks French and German. That means Sister Pia Elizabeth doesn't talk to us, and Sister Sarah tells Sister Pia Eli…

Faith is a Lay Dominican with a dual apostolate of cyberministry and prison ministry. She blogs here about her "cloistered brothers," her thoughts, spirituality, prayer, and an occasional poem or two.
She also blogs at http://www.21stcenturydominican.com/ She also updates her chapter's blog, Our Lady of Mercy Chapter,http://sites.google.com/site/ourladyofmercychapter/
Lastly, but in no way, of lesser importance, Faith is the general editor of ELUMEN, the internet newsletter for Lay Dominicans in the Eastern Province of St. Joseph. http://www.3op.org/
To subscribe to ELUMEN, contact prouille_1216@comcast.net
May all I do be for the greater glory of God.